Chapter 1: Must Be the Winds
It had been a month since the chaos of Strom's rage.
Now, peace had returned—or at least, it seemed that way.
The curse was gone.
The pain was gone.
And Strom… had changed.
The once short-tempered dragon knight was now calm, almost glowing with a quiet joy, like a heavy shadow had been lifted off his heart. For the first time in years, he was smiling without pretending.
Morning sunlight slipped through the windows of Dravyss's house. The great dragoness was still asleep, her breathing deep and peaceful. Meanwhile, Strom was sweeping the floor, humming softly to himself—until a gentle knock echoed at the door.
He opened it and froze.
Wraith stood there.
Strom: "Morning, Wraith."
Wraith: "Good morning… can I… talk to mom?"
Strom: "She's still sleeping."
Wraith: "Oh. Then… can you tell her something for me?"
Strom: "Yeah, sure. What's that?"
Wraith: "Tell her… I'm sorry. For what I said before. I hurt her with my words. She loved me like her own daughter, and I failed her."
Strom looked at her, a soft smile tugging his lips.
Strom: "Don't worry. Mom isn't angry. She never could be."
Wraith looked down, then back up with a faint, almost shy smile.
Wraith: "I just… wanted to say it myself. But it's okay. I'll go."
She turned to leave, but paused.
Strom: "As you wish. Bye, Wraith."
Wraith: "...Strom."
Strom: "What?"
Before he could react, she stepped forward and pressed a gentle kiss on his lips—then turned and walked away without a word.
Strom stood there, stunned, eyes wide and heart frozen.
A smile crept across his face.
Strom (quietly): "Must be the winds…"
But deep down, he knew it wasn't the wind.
It was love—soft, silent, and real.
The rest of the day passed in peace. No fights. No nightmares.
Just Strom smiling to himself, every now and then, remembering that single moment.
Chapter 2: The Night Out
The next morning, the Valkyrie village was bathed in sunlight — peaceful on the surface, but whispers spread like wildfire.
Something was wrong.
Women… were disappearing.
No trace, no sound — just gone.
---
In Astrid's house, Flowra was busy cooking while Wraith tended to the garden.
Astrid, as usual, was outside training, her blade cutting through the air like wind.
Astrid (under her breath): "Same thing again… and no one's doing anything."
---
That evening, while cleaning the basement with Wraith, Astrid broke the silence.
Astrid: "Hey, you've heard what's going on, right?"
Wraith: "Not much, but yeah. I heard female Valkyries have been disappearing at night."
Astrid: "So you do know. Then how about we solve this tonight?"
Wraith (grinning): "A night out with muscle mommy? Hell yeah."
Astrid: "Focus, dumbass."
---
They waited till nightfall and then slipped into the cold, quiet streets.
No sound but their boots on the stone.
No clue.
No sign.
By dawn, nothing. No new victims.
Astrid: "Did he already know we were watching?"
Wraith: "Maybe… but we try again. Tonight."
Astrid: "Then let's go hunting."
They tried again the next night. Still nothing.
But the morning after —
a scream echoed through the village.
Another woman had vanished...
Astrid: "How? We were out all night!"
Wraith: "Maybe it happened when we weren't near that part of town."
Astrid: "We need backup."
Wraith: "You mean Strom? You know he won't come."
Astrid: "He still blames himself for what happened to my village, but he's not the monster they think."
Wraith: "That might be true, but it's not enough to drag him here."
Astrid (smirking): "Oh, he'll come. He won't say no if I tell him my mom's dying."
Wraith (frowning): "Wait—what?"
Astrid: "Relax. I'll just tell him Mom's counting her last breaths and her final wish is to see him."
Wraith: "You do realize when he finds out, you're dead, right?"
Astrid: "Yeah, yeah. But come on — it's rare I'm gonna to prank him."
Wraith: "Your funeral is near."
Astrid: "I'm not just brave… I'm just f*cking insane."
Chapter 3: It's Just a Prank
Evening.
Dravyss was out buying groceries, and Strom was happily baking bread in the kitchen — flour on his hands, humming quietly.
Peaceful. For once.
Then the door burst open like thunder.
Astrid stood there, tears running down her face.
Strom (startled): "Astrid!? What happened!?"
Astrid (sobbing): "S-Strom…"
Strom: "Why are you crying? What's wrong!?"
Astrid (sniffling): "Mom… she's dying."
Strom: "What!?"
Astrid (voice breaking): "She's too weak to speak, barely breathing… she wants to see you for the last time!"
Strom: "No, no… this can't be happening!"
Astrid (covers face): "Please Strom, hurry… before it's too late!"
Strom (panic rising): "No… she can't—"
He dropped everything and ran.
Through forests. Over hills.
His mind replayed only one thing — Flowra's smile fading away.
He run and didn't stop until he reached Valkyrie territory.
The village was calm. Too calm.
Strom kicked open the door to Astrid's house—
—and froze.
Flowra was sitting comfortably on a chair, sipping tea.
Flowra (smiling): "Oh, hey sweetie. Want some tea?" ☕
Strom (panting): "A-Aunt…? You're… alive?"
Flowra: "Obviously. Why wouldn't I be?"
Strom (confused): "Astrid said you were dying!"
Flowra (chuckling): "Oh, that. It's just a prank, son."
Strom blinked. Once. Twice. Then collapsed to his knees.
Strom (exhausted): "A prank…? You people almost killed me with a heart attack."
Flowra: "We knew you wouldn't come unless something dramatic happened. Astrid thought this would work."
---
A few minutes later, Astrid and Dravyss walked in — only to find Strom sitting at the table, face red and spirit shattered.
Astrid (grinning): "Sooo… how's my prank?"
Strom (flatly): "You're lucky I love you people."
Astrid: "Okay okay, maybe a little too much drama. But it worked, right? You're here."
Strom (serious): "Astrid… don't ever pull something like that again."
Astrid (teasing): "Or what? You gonna chase me again across two countries?" 😏
Strom (cold): "No. I'll just tell Sam you like magic stuff then he will lecture you for an hour straight."
Astrid (horrified): "Okay, too far. Sorry."
---
The door opened again — Sam and Wraith walked in.
Sam: "Yo bro! I heard you got scammed by "Operation Dead Mom.""
Strom: "Yeah, I sprinted like my life depended on it. Then I found out it's a damn comedy show."
Sam (laughing): "That's tough, bro. 10/10 prank though."
Wraith (grinning): "Told you, you should visit more often. Maybe then people wouldn't need to fake your aunt's death."
Strom: "Remind me to prank all of you back one day."
Sam: "He says that but we both know he'll forget once someone gives him cookies."
Strom (sighs, grabs tea): "You people are a curse.
Flowra (sweetly): "But a lovely one."
---
As the laughter faded, Strom finally looked up, serious again.
Strom: "Alright, jokes aside. Tell me what's happening here. The disappearances — any clues yet?"
The room fell quiet. Astrid's playful grin faded.
Astrid: "None. But whoever's doing it… they're smart. Too smart."
Wraith: "And if we don't act soon, more Valkyries might vanish."
Strom (nods): "Then it's Cleared. We end this. No more running, no more hiding."
And just like that — the man who almost died from a prank…
was back in the fight.
Chapter 4: The Real Talk
When the night falls, the legends rise.
The team was ready — or at least, they thought they were.
Astrid and Wraith stood calmly near the village gate, armor glinting under moonlight.
Then… from the shadows… two suspicious figures emerged.
Dark brown robes. Hooded. Moving like thieves.
Wraith: "What the hell are you two wearing!?"
Strom: "What?"
Wraith: "You guys look like criminals sneaking out of jail."
Sam (posing): "Excuse me, this is called stealth fashion."
Strom (nodding): "Exactly. It's called blending in with the darkness."
Astrid (deadpan): "If that's "fashion," then I'm proud to be old-school."
Wraith: "Same. I'm not dressing like a walking potato sack just to look mysterious."
Sam: "You old girls have no taste. This is a next-level drip."😎
Strom: "Don't hate us because we're stylish."
Astrid: "You look like bread thieves, not heroes."
Strom: "I am a baker, technically."
They all burst into laughter — even in the cold tension, their humor kept the night alive.
---
Hours passed. The night was silent.
No sounds of struggle. No trace of footprints.
Nothing but the rustling wind and the flicker of distant lanterns.
By dawn, exhaustion hit them all.
Strom (yawning): "Not a single damn clue. All we did was scare raccoons."
Astrid: "It's strange… sometimes women disappear every night, sometimes after a few days."
Wraith (frowning): "No pattern, no trace, no scent — it's like they vanish into thin air."
Sam: "How many so far?"
Astrid: "About nineteen… maybe twenty."
Sam (grim): "That's too many. This isn't random. It's planned."
Strom: "We didn't see or hear anything, right? Even your enchanted ears found nothing, Wraith?"
Wraith (gritting teeth): "Nothing. Whoever's behind this — they're smart. Maybe using magic to hide their presence."
Astrid (determined): "Then we keep going. Tonight, again."
---
That night, the squad split across the village — searching every corner, every shadow, every breath of wind.
But again… nothing.
No screams. No movement. No trail.
By sunrise, their faces told the story — tired, frustrated, empty-handed.
Then came the knock.
A trembling villager at the door — her voice shaking.
Villager: "Another one's gone… she disappeared last night."
The team froze.
Strom (clenching fists): "That's impossible. We were watching all night."
Sam (looking down): "Then he was watching us. He knew we were there."
Wraith: "He's toying with us…"
Strom's eyes darkened — that old spark of rage flickered for the first time since his curse broke.
Strom (low growl): "He's challenging me. I swear, whoever this bastard is… he'll regret ever breathing."
The room went quiet.
Astrid's face turned pale.
Wraith (softly): "Astrid… what's wrong?"
Astrid (forcing a smile): "N-nothing. I just… need some air."
She turned and walked out, fast.
But Strom's eyes followed her, sharp and heavy.
He could feel it —
she knew something...
Chapter 5: It's Personal Now
Evening fell heavy and cold.
The entire team sat around the table, silent. The air was thick with frustration — too many plans, zero progress.
Strom (breaking the silence): "Come on, Astrid. Tell us anything you know. Please!"
Astrid (looking away): "I told you. I don't know anything."
Strom looked at her for a few seconds. He could feel she was hiding something… but he didn't force her.
Sam (leaning back): "Alright. Tonight we try one last time — full force. Four directions, four of us. We cover everything."
Wraith: "Makes sense. If there's a monster, it can't hide from all of us if we plan well."
Astrid (nodding): "Then let's end this tonight."
The Hunt
Night fell.
Each of them took their position —
North: Astrid.
East: Wraith.
West: Sam.
South: Strom.
The moonlight cut through the clouds as they searched tirelessly.
Running, sprinting, checking every corner, every bush — desperate to find something.
Then, a faint crack echoed in the woods — the sound of a twig snapping.
Strom's instincts flared.
He followed the sound through the shadows… until his eyes widened.
Flowra...
Walking slowly… eyes open… face blank… like she was sleepwalking.
Strom (calling out): "Aunt Flowra?!"
No response.
He called again — nothing.
When he touched her shoulder — she suddenly collapsed.
Strom (panicking): "AUNT FLOWRA!"
He scooped her into his arms and sprinted back toward the house.
But when he burst through the door — his heart froze.
Dravyss was on the floor. Blood pooling beneath her head.
Someone had smashed her with a metal rod.
For a second, Strom couldn't breathe. Then his hands clenched — trembling with fury.
He lowered Flowra beside Dravyss, his voice shaking
Strom (growling): "He hurt my mother… and tried to kill my aunt…
Now it's personal."
The Morning After
The next morning, silence filled the house.
Strom sat at the table, eyes dark, jaw tight.
Strom: "He's going to regret this. I swear."
Sam (rubbing his chin): "Maybe not for long… I think I found something."
Astrid: "What is it?"
Sam: "Bring me a calendar."
Astrid raised an eyebrow but did as he asked. She placed it on the table.
Wraith: "How's a calendar gonna help?"
Sam: "Mark the nights when women disappeared."
Astrid and Wraith quickly marked the dates — one by one.
And suddenly, the pattern emerged.
Sam (smirking): "Gotcha."
Strom: "What?"
Sam: "Full moon. He only hunts on full moon nights."
Wraith: "Oh, that explains the gaps — some nights were calm because the moon wasn't ready."
Astrid: "But how? How is he hunting them?"
Strom: "Aunt Flowra was sleepwalking… maybe hypnosis? And Mom — someone hit her hard. Whoever it was, they entered the house."
Wraith: "If he broke in, why not just drag them out? Why the hypnosis?"
Strom: "Yeah… that doesn't make sense."
Sam (leaning forward): "Actually… it does. It's a magical sound trick."
Astrid (confused): "What?"
Sam: "If you place something belonging to a Valkyrie — like her hair, anything — inside a flute made from demon bone, you can control her mind with sound."
Strom: "And how the hell do you know that?"
Sam (coughing nervously): "Uh… is that important?"
Astrid (raising an eyebrow): "Sam…!"
Sam (sighing): "Okay! okay! fine! When I first met Astrid and she wasn't interested in me, I read every book about Valkyries trying to impress her. I may have come across that spell… but I never used it! I swear!"
Everyone stared at him.
Astrid's glare was sharp enough to slice a demon in half.
Astrid: "You don't need magic, Sam. Just be my little mage — that's enough."
She turned and left the hall silently.
Sam blinked, then looked around.
Strom (grinning): "How romantic, Sam."
Sam: "Shut up."
Chapter 6: The Past
The sun was setting, painting the village roofs in red and gold.
Astrid sat alone on the rooftop — silent, tense — a cigarette glowing faintly between her fingers.
The smoke curled into the orange sky like her thoughts: lost and heavy.
Strom (from behind): "Astrid!"
Startled, she quickly threw the cigarette aside, pretending she wasn't doing anything.
Astrid: "…What?"
Strom: "Does Sam know about this?"
Astrid: "No. And please, Strom… don't tell him. Please."
There was something fragile in her voice. Strom could tell it wasn't just the cigarette she was hiding.
Strom: "How long have you been smoking?"
Astrid: "Only when I'm in tension."
Strom: "Astrid… don't lie to me. You know something. About what's happening."
She looked away, her jaw tightening.
Astrid: "I told you, I don't—"
Strom (cutting her off): "Don't lie!"
Astrid's eyes flashed, anger and sorrow colliding.
Astrid: "Because I loved him once!"
The wind went silent. The air froze.
Strom: "…What?"
Astrid: "Aron. I loved him once. And I think… he's behind all of this."
Strom: "Explain!."
Astrid looked toward the horizon, her voice trembling between guilt and memory.
Astrid: "He was the prince of our territory. But he lived among us — not as royalty, but as a knight.
Tall, smart, gentle… everything a Valkyrie like me could ever dream of.
I was seventeen when the war between Humans and Valkyries broke out."
"Aron warned us. He said humans would never fight fair, that they'd bring something else to the field. But we didn't listen.
We are ready to fight with pride… ready to die before surrendering."
"But humans bring Orc, The Green Giants that hunt Valkyries and call it sports, We are helpless in the moment with no chance of victory but....."
"Then Aron appeared on the battlefield — riding a massive wolf.
He fought beside us, led us to victory. But that victory felt wrong.
Soon after… Valkyrie women began disappearing.'
Strom (grimly): "He fed their flesh to the wolf… didn't he?"
Astrid (shaking her head): "It wasn't a wolf.
It was a Metamorph — a demon creature that could change its form.
A "blessing" from the Demon Lord himself."
"Aron made a deal.
He wanted power… even if it meant selling his soul."
One day, a villager came to me. He said,
> "Aron is the one behind the vanishings."
I didn't believe him. I was in love.
The villager warned me again:
> "If you don't believe me, wait. He'll ask you to meet tonight."
"And that night… Aron did.
He asked me to walk with him to the forest. We reached a cave.
The air was cold — too quiet.'
Astrid (to Aron): "Why are we here?"
Aron: "How much do you love me, Astrid?"
Astrid: "Enough to die for you."
Aron: "…Then die by my hands."
He swung his sword — I barely dodged.
Before he could strike again, villagers rushed in.
We fought together. I punched him hard in the face — Father always said my punches could break stone — and he fell, but somehow escaped into the shadows.
Astrid (tearing up): "I didn't want to believe it…
The man I loved… became a monster.
And now he's back."
Strom (softly): "Astrid!..."
She finally broke. Her voice cracked as tears streamed down her face.
Astrid: "I'm sorry, Strom. I hid it because I thought I could handle it. But I can't."
Strom wrapped his arms around her, holding her tightly.
Strom: "It's okay. You don't have to carry this alone anymore."
Astrid buried her face in his chest, sobbing.
And Strom — for the first time — didn't act cool just comforting her.
Chapter 7: We Follow Valkyrie
Nightfall.
The moon hung high, silver light spilling across the forest like ghost fire.
The team spread out to find the mysterious hunter — but Strom quietly motioned Wraith and Sam to regroup. He knew.
He knew Astrid already had an idea where Aron was.
But he didn't tell them about her past… he kept that secret buried in his chest.
They followed her silently — shadows among shadows. Even a sharp warrior like Astrid couldn't sense them trailing behind.
What they didn't know… was that Dravyss was following them too.
Someone had dared to hurt her sister.
And she wasn't letting him live.
---
After nearly an hour, Astrid stopped.
At the edge of a cliff, hidden behind roaring waterfalls, stood an house — broken, dark, alive with old memories.
There he was.
Aron. Sitting on a chair, waiting… smiling like time never passed.
Aron: "I thought you'd catch me faster, Astrid. Didn't expect you to take this long.'
Astrid gripped her massive blade, her eyes burning like embers.
Astrid: "You crawl back again… now you will die."
Aron: "You can't kill me, Astrid. I'm stronger than before. I'll kill you… then I'll kill everyone and repay the debt."
Astrid: "You still care for that demon?"
Aron: "He helped me when no one did. And now I'm just doing what I feel is right."
Astrid: "Then die."
She raised her blade — but before she could swing, The Dragon Spear smashed into the ground between them, shaking the cliff.
From behind stepped Strom, Sam, and Wraith.
Strom: "Nah, Astrid. You're not fighting him alone."
Astrid: "Why the hell are you guys here!?"
Strom: "We're here to end this motherfucker."
Sam: "Yeah Astrid! This asshole dies tonight!"
Wraith, though… she wasn't focused. For the first time, she was speechless — her eyes fixed on Aron.
That cold, calm face… and something in his charm hooked her instantly.
Wraith (quietly): "…damn."
Then, without warning — a new voice thundered from behind.
Dravyss: "You're dying tonight, son of a bitch."
Everyone froze.
Dravyss stood in her human form, eyes blazing. But the rage behind them screamed dragon, and everyone knew if this went wrong — she'd unleash hell.
Astrid looked around, shame burning in her face. Without saying a word, she turned and walked away, her fists trembling.
The team hesitated — then followed her, leaving Aron and Dravyss standing face to face.
---
Aron and Dravyss stared at each other for a long, silent awkward moment.
Then the prince remembered his manners.
Aron (bowing slightly): "Ma'am… please, have a seat."
Dravyss raised an eyebrow but sat down anyway.
Meanwhile, deep in the forest—
Astrid walked fast, her steps heavy, her heart heavier.
The others followed, still confused. Strom kept quiet, but Sam finally spoke.
Sam: "C'mon, Astrid. Tell us what happened."
Astrid: "You act like you don't know anything."
Wraith: "We don't know anything. Why would you say that?"
Astrid stopped.
Her eyes locked onto Strom.
Astrid: "You didn't tell them…"
Strom: "It was your secret. I couldn't."
Wraith: "Wait— you also knew something?"
Sam: "Why are we all so clueless here?!"
Wraith: "Ohh muscle mommy, just tell us already—"
Sam and Wraith kept teasing until Astrid finally snapped.
Astrid: "HE'S MY EX!"
The forest went dead silent.
Even the crickets stopped.
Wraith was the first to speak.
Wraith: "…But honestly, Astrid, your ex looks so good."
Strom ( snapping instantly): "You— what the hell— YOU BITCH DEMONESS, are you cheating on me!?"
Wraith: "Oh wow! When you flirt with girls, you're a cool ass hero, but I can't even compliment her taste!?"
Sam: "Easy guys! Wraith's just joking—"
Strom: "I know when she's joking or dead serious, Sam!"
Wraith: "I think something's burning here… I can smell it."
Astrid (snapping): "SHUT THE FUCK UP, ALL OF YOU!
My ex is the servant of that bitch then my friends come into my personal fight without my permission, and now the lovebirds are having a fucking couple's argument in the middle of a goddamn forest!!"
Everyone went silent.
Even Strom's spear glowed dimmer — like it didn't wanna get involved ☠️
Chapter 8: The Metamorph
After that ridiculous, fire-spitting argument in the forest, the team finally stopped yelling, united their brains again, and returned for the fight… but something unexpected was already unfolding.
---
Dravys and Aron are having a good conversation
Dravyss sat with Aron, listening to his past — how he went from protector to monster.
Dravyss: "Son… you did all that for them, but they call you a monster? That's not fair."
Aron: "I don't have a choice. Until I repay him, he'll keep killing me every day. I can't even sleep peacefully…"
Just then, Strom walked out of the shadows.
Strom: "I have an idea. Let me kill you today."
Dravyss raised her hand to stop him, trying to calm everything.
But Aron suddenly laughed — dark, sharp, cruel.
Aron: "You stupid dragon. You think I'm a victim? No. Maybe I'm crushed under debt… but once I please him, I'll ask for another blessing. And then you'll all see what real fear looks like."
Dravyss' eyes narrowed — glowing with a golden rage.
Dravyss: "You lied to me… now die."
She transformed instantly — flaming wings, crushing aura, full dragon form.
But Aron didn't flinch.
He had already planned everything.
Aron: "If you waste time killing me… east side will drown in screams. I cracked the dam. In a few minutes, it breaks — and everyone there dies."
Dravyss' expression turned cold as a blade.
Dravyss: "Not in my watch."
She launched into the sky, wings ripping through clouds, flying toward the east to save lives.
---
The Team vs Aron — The Clash Begins
The moment Dravyss left, Strom charged with nothing but his spear — no armor, no pendant.
Wraith came with her tiny dagger only.
Sam held his staff, preparing spells.
Astrid alone came fully armed and armored — muscle mommy on a mission.
Aron was ready too — sword sharpened, armor fixed, shield glowing with runic energy.
They all leaped at him at once.
Sam fired spells from the back, shaking the cliff.
---
Aron vs Strom
Aron blocked Strom's spear with his shield and smirked.
Aron: "You… are the reason I came back."
Strom: "Me? How the hell? I don't even know you!, Bitch"
Aron: "You destroyed a village, killed hundreds — but people still call you a hero.
Then why not me!? I just wanted some more Valkyries. Why do they hate me then!?"
Strom: "Because I'm not like you, asshole."
Aron roared and pushed them all back with monstrous strength.
---
Aron vs Everyone
Astrid's attacks were heavy.
Wraith's speed was like a blur.
Sam's spells were blowing rocks apart.
But Aron was unbreakable.
Then — the mistake happened.
Wraith jumped to stab him — Aron grabbed her arm midair.
Aron: "Die, demoness."
He threw Wraith off the cliff...
Strom didn't even think — he jumped right after her.
Time slowed.
Wind howled.
Wraith reached out — Strom barely grabbed her hand.
He twisted his body midair to shield her.
THUDDDDD!!
The ground shattered.
Dust exploded across the forest.
Wraith opened her eyes slowly.
She was in Strom's arms.
But Strom wasn't moving.
No breath.
No heartbeat.
She touched his face with shaking hands.
Wraith: "Strom?"
(Strom didn't answer.)
Wraith ( panicking): "no,No,NO Strom please, NO"
She placed her head on his chest — then started crying.
Wraith (sobbing): "I'm sorry, Strom… please don't leave me… you're my everything…"
But no reply came from him
She looked at him again — and noticed something strange.
His lips.
He had been smiling before.
Trying to hide it now.
Wraith's eyes twitched.
Wraith (in her mind): "Brat."
She slapped him SO HARD he woke up instantly, rubbing his cheek.
Strom: "YOU BITCH! Can't you just show some love and kiss me to wake up for some romantic shit!?"
Wraith: "Not possible. Even in your dreams."
Strom stood up, groaning, hand on back and cheek.
Strom: "What a life…"
Wraith leaned forward… kissed the same cheek she slapped.
Strom: "…What a life."
(but this time, softer. Real.)
Wraith: "Come on. Let's go kill that motherfucker."
Strom: "Let's go."
---
Meanwhile — At the East Side Dam
Dravyss landed hard in front of the dam…
Nothing was broken.
No crack.
Everything perfectly normal.
She frowned.
Then she saw two glowing red dots inside a nearby cave.
She bent down.
Squinted.
Not dots.
Eyes.
Eyes of the Metamorph...
The creature stepped out — and transformed instantly into a perfect copy of Dravyss.
Dravyss: "What… are you?"
Before she could react —
SLASH!
The clone's claws ripped through her chest scales.
Dravyss fell to her knees in pain.
Then came another strike.
And another.
Tail whip.
Bite.
Claw.
Fang.
The Metamorph tore into her with the wild hunger of a predator that enjoyed blood more than air.
Dravyss tried to block — to dodge — but it was impossible.
Its speed was monstrous.
Every claw sent fire through her nerves.
Then—
CRACK!!
A brutal punch to her skull sent her crashing across the ground.
She hit the stone so hard the earth split — and she couldn't stand.
Dravyss, the Dragon guardian knight, the eldest blood —
lay broken under the shadow of her own reflection, A cheap copy.
Chapter 9 — The Last Wish
Astrid swung her blade too fast and it was too brutal — it sliced Aron's shield in a clean half. Aron counter-struck instantly, knocking the blade from Astrid's grip.
Before she could recover, Aron grabbed Astrid by the throat, squeezing so hard she struggled to breathe…
Then BOOM! — Sam's Fire Phoenix Spell blasted both of them, throwing Aron back and knocking Astrid unconscious.
Astrid fell to the ground, breathless. Aron rose slowly— angery than ever.
He turned and saw Sam standing alone, no frontliner, no backup.
He grinned.
Aron (laughing): "Little guy trying to fight me… pathetic. How can someone even love you?"
Sam: "What do you mean?"
Aron: "What do YOU have to impress her? You're short, weak, and look goofy as hell.
You think a Valkyrie like Astrid would ever love you?"
Sam froze. Because deep down… Aron wasn't completely wrong. Sam had nothing Astrid normally liked.
Aron: "She likes tall, strong, handsome knights. Not a little mage. Even Strom — I bet she liked him first."
Sam: "How… how do you know?"
Aron: "So it's true! HAHAHA! You're nothing, Sam. She still likes me."
Sam's expression changed.
Because he remembered something—
No one can make Astrid laugh when she's angry.
No one except Sam.
Even Strom steps back when Astrid rages.
But Sam stays.
Always.
Sam: "You must be right… she likes tall, strong guys.
Maybe I'm weak… but…"
He smirked.
Sam: "…I pulled her by being goofy.
I made her change her taste in men."
Aron: "What the hell are you saying?"
Sam: "I'm just built differently.
And all of you?
You're just the same.
But I… I'm insane."
Aron gripped his blade tight.
Aron: "Then die a different death."
He lunged at Sam. Sam dodged—but the next strike was faster.
CRACK! Sam's staff was sliced clean in half.
Sam: "Man!… that was my favorite one."
Another strike—Sam barely dodged, running as Aron chased him.
Aron: "Any last wishes, little dude?"
Sam: "Yes.
Does your armor have copper?"
Aron: "…Yes? Why?"
Sam: "Then die, asshole!."
Sam unleashed a massive lightning spell.
Copper in Aron's armor turned it into a torture device—he collapsed instantly, body paralyzed.
Punches hurt.
Blades cut.
But lightning?
Lightning was different.
Sam: "No more running now, right?"
Aron tried to stand but failed. His body refused to move.
Aron: "Impossible! I can't lose to a mage—HOW!?'
Sam: "Because you fight to save your life.
And I fight to save my life, My Astrid."
Aron: "This… this can't—"
Sam stepped on Aron's chest.
Sam: "Look who's boss now.
Height doesn't matter when you're Sam."
Aron: "You can't—this won't end like—"
BAM!
Sam kicked his face so hard Aron went unconscious instantly.
---
Meanwhile — East Side
The metamorph pushed Dravyss beyond her limits.
No window to strike. No opening.
Until—
It aimed straight for the chest-stone.
A fatal mistake.
Dravyss caught its arm.
Dravyss: "Die, you scum."
Her tail—the REAL Dragon's tail—smashed the metamorph.
She leaped, grabbed its neck and shoulder with both hands—
And then she ripped it apart clean in half,
Raw strength only.
No magic.
No technique. The metamorph tore in pieces.
Dravyss: "I'm the real one.
I'm the Guardian.
I'm Dravyss. DRAVYSS THE DRAGON!!!."
Her roar shook the mountains.
---
Later
Strom and Wraith finally reached the spot—
Aron looked dead.
Astrid unconscious.
And Sam… crying over his broken staff.
He dug a tiny grave with a label:
'R.I.P My Love' 💀
Strom: "Bro, that's literally a piece of stick."
Sam: "Shut up—you don't understand!"
Astrid woke up and saw the scene and almost fell again.
Astrid: "How did you guys manage to kill him?"
Wraith: "I don't know. Strom and I arrived like side characters.
But I think Sam knows."
Astrid: "Sam… is that true?"
Sam (already imagining a kiss, dramatic music playing in his head):
Sam: "Yes Astrid, you're right…"
Astrid: "If auntie Dravyss knocked him out then where is she?"
Sam: "What?! Hey! I broke him!
I'm the reason we won!
And the dragon auntie is on a mission!"
Then—BOOM—Dravyss landed.
Bleeding. Angry.
Dravyss: "Where is that son of bitch?"
Sam pointed to Aron's unconscious body.
Dravyss didn't hesitate—
She ate him alive.
Everyone froze.
Strom: "MOM!!!!!"
Dravyss: "What?
…I was hungry."
Silence.
Then laughter.
They really won.
And the real hero?
Sam...
Aftermath — Dawn of the Idiots
By dawn, everyone returned home riding on Dravyss' back like a bunch of kids on a school trip.
Everyone was mostly fine…
Except Dravyss.
When she shifted back to her human form, the wounds became clearly visible:
Deep cuts across her face, chest, shoulders, neck, scalp, back—
Even her lips were cut.
Flowra practically rushed toward her.
Flowra (panicking): "WHO DID THAT TO YOU!?"
Dravyss: "Relax… it was nothing.
Just… a copy of me."
---
Later — In the House
Strom lay on the table, stretching his spine like an injured old man.
Wraith and Flowra wrapped bandages around Dravyss' wounds.
Strom: "Actually… I have a doubt."
Dravyss: "What now?"
Strom: "How the hell did he break into the house AND land hits on you?
Hitting you is basically a suicide attempt!"
Dravyss sighed.
Dravyss: "It wasn't him.
It was Flowra."
Flowra (panic again): "WHAT?! M–ME?! I DIDN'T— I WOULD NEVER— I—"
Dravyss (cutting her off): "It's okay. It wasn't your fault.
I was reading a book… then you came behind me sleepwalking—
I turned around—
And you hit me with that thing."
They followed Dravyss' finger.
And saw it.
Strom's Dragon Spear lying on the ground.
Flowra's eyes widened.
Flowra: "I was able to LIFT that thing?!"
Strom: "Oh— yeah. Anyone can.
I forgot to enchant it yet."
Wraith facepalmed.
---
A Little Debate
Wraith:" But Aron… he wasn't that bad.
If he fought the Demon Lord, he didn't have to die."
Astrid: "At first, he saved us.
Then… he tried to "repay a debt" and turned greedy.
And greedy guys?
They always end up dying."
Sam: "Well… you all should thank me for saving your lives."
Strom: "Nah. I'm not saying thanks to you."
Astrid: "I'd rather die than say that."
Wraith: "Yeah, not from me either."
Sam stared down like a depressed squirrel.
He literally risked his life…
Fought a guy twice his size…
Got his staff killed in action…
And they STILL No one didn't even thank him....
Then the magic happened.
Astrid grabbed him by the arm.
Strom grabbed him by the collar.
Wraith hugged his waist.
They all lifted him into the air like a champion.
Everyone (shouting): "SAM THE REAL HERO!!!"
Sam: "Best day to be alive."